We all know the perfect horse doesn't exist, and one person's idea of perfect could be considered bad by someone else, and good conformation varies depending on breed.
A new TB came to the barn today, and he's a Secretariat baby, I think great-great-grandson, and a few people started talking about how Secretariat was as close to perfect conformation wise, as a TB could get.
Now I know little on conformation but it got me curious.
What is the closest to your idea of perfect you have seen? And why?
As said earlier, the 'perfect' horse depends on what you want it for.
A horse can have the perfect conformation for its standard but unless it has the right ethics towards work, it will be nothing but good looking!
It is not just a matter of what it looks like but also of its brain and heart.
One of the most perfect horses I ever had the pleasure of working with was the perfect horse for showing what could go wrong with their legs! Splints, Spavins, windgalls, you name it and he showed signs of it! He had a big Roman nose, sway backed slightly and moved very wide behind.
When I got him he was very poor. Obviously elderly, and had known better times. He turned out to be a brilliant horse. Nothing ever fazed him, he was the best horse to ride out in heavy traffic with young horses and had a heck of a jump to him.
A toddler could handle him, he gave confidence to nervous roders and he loved life and no matter where he went he drew attention, he was so noble.
A horse like that is worth ten that are correct but have the wrong attitude,
The"perfect horse" will depend on its intended use.
For example the shoulder you want in a draft is a little different from the shoulder you want in a jumper , or the shoulder in a sprint speed horse as compared to a distance horse.
IF you mean the best type of overall all around conformation, here are a few of the things I want to see:
a good slope to the shoulder,
deep heart girth,
matching hip and shoulder angles that create a belly line that is twice the length of the back,
a LONG powerful croup and long hip,
low set hocks,
short cannon bones,
neck that is not set too low and long enough to be flexible,
straight forelegs
very SLIGHTLY cow hocked hind legs(for better pushing)
large bone and feet
and for bonus, a decent looking head.
EDIT And another thing, Totilas has a 'vibe' surrounding him when he performs, like no other horse. A very powerful, dark vibe. Just watch his dressage to music with Gal, and you will see for yourself. I have seen him in the flesh once, and when he came into the warm up, everything and everyone just stopped. Horses stopped in mid piaffe, as riders stared at him, and spectators' eyes were riveted to him.
I'm not a fan of Totilas's way of going, with the legs here there an everywhere in the extended trot. I prefer *****'s low, less exuberant movement. HOWEVER ***** could walk straight by any horse in the warm up without the rider batting an eyelid. He doesn't have that same presence as Totilas.[/QUOTE]
The first time I saw Totilas on a video with Edward Gal I couldn't believe it. He moved like no other horse I had ever seen. Just jaw-droppingly astonishing. The only thing I can compare it to was hearing Gidon Kremer play Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Edinburgh. That piece is like a favorite tweed jacket: well-worn and well-loved. I know it by heart. I settled back for a lovely evening...
WRONG!!
Kremer played it as though his violin was on fire... It felt like the music just grabbed my bones and began shaking them. It was as different from my familiar Four Seasons as Totilas' movement was from every other horse I had ever watched move. I'll never forget either one.
I agree about the exaggerated movement: you just have to wonder how they achieved it; nevertheless, it is unforgettable.
The 'perfect horse' to me is built a lot like my mare. I know I am biased, but I have been told by many people that she is VERY well built, plus, she is a 'true' black, for a bonus! She is only 3 right now, so does have some more filling out to do, but overall, to me she is the 'perfect horse' conformationally, and personality wise.
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